Hand held clay pigeon thrower

ABSTRACT

A symmetrical, single piece, hand held clay pigeon thrower, made of durable plastic, consisting of a handle at one end which then separates into parallel arms. The internal side of each arm contains a recessed channel along the lengths of the arms whereby a clay pigeon can be loaded into the channel at the end of the arms and slid towards the handle. The swinging of the thrower causes the clay pigeon to rotate along the length of the arms and channels and then launch. The arms are of such a length to accommodate up to two clay pigeons. The device may be used by both right-handed and left-handed individuals.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a hand held device for launching clay pigeons relativeto the sport of trap shooting or clay pigeon shooting. There are a fewhand held devices on the market with each presenting a number ofproblems such as breaking of the clay pigeon upon loading, failing torelease the clay pigeon, inaccuracy in throwing, inconsistency inthrowing, etc.

This invention will provide an inexpensive, extremely easy to use devicefor the consistent launching of one or two clay pigeons at a time. Evenbeginners will be able to immediately use the device inasmuch as theprocess is as simple as swinging a baseball bat. The device issymmetrical whereby it can be used by right-handed or left-handedindividuals.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention consists of a single piece of equipment for launching orthrowing clay pigeons into the air. Similar to the appearance of anenlarged tuning fork, a handle joins with two parallel arms. The handleis similar to the handle of a baseball bat. The arms are separated by adistance consistent with the width of the typical clay pigeon. Theinternal sides of the arms have recessed channels which hold the claypigeon in place and provide a track for the clay pigeon as it is loadedand launched.

The typical clay pigeon is disc shaped with an outer edge ofapproximately ⅜ths of an inch. Clay pigeons are loaded at the open endof the device by fitting the edge of the clay pigeons into the channelsand sliding the clay pigeons to the end of the arms (toward the handle).If desired, a second clay pigeon can then be loaded in the same manner.

The swinging of the device generates a centrifugal force which causesthe clay pigeon(s) to rotate or roll on its edge towards the end of thethrower until it is released into the air. The speed of the swing andlength of the arms will have a corresponding effect on the speed atwhich the clay pigeon leaves the thrower and travels away from thethrower.

Rotation of the clay pigeon as it is launched is induced by a grippingstrip, such as rubber tape, placed inside one of the channels of thearms which impedes any sliding of the clay pigeon while encourages therolling and rotation of the clay pigeon within the channels. Theopposite arm and channel are kept clear and smooth so as to inducesliding. If the person throwing the clay pigeon is right handed, he usesthe device such that it is oriented to where the right arm of the devicecontains the gripping strip. As the launching swing begins, the claypigeon will begin rolling clockwise down the arms ultimately beinglaunched with significant rotational velocity enhancing distance and asmooth trajectory. The left-handed thrower needs only to reverse or flipthe device such that the gripping strip is located on the left arm ofthe thrower when launching the clay pigeon.

The length of the thrower is unique and directly affects the speed ofthe launched clay pigeon. The handle may be gripped by one or two hands.The device is designed such that a comfortable swing generatessufficient force to send the clay pigeon ultimately beyond the range ofa shotgun.

The invention is perfectly symmetrical with no moving parts, enhancingaffordability, durability, and simplicity in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a vertical view of the thrower also showing a clay pigeonloaded preparatory to launching the clay pigeon.

FIG. 2 is an angle view of the thrower showing the channels in which theclay pigeon is loaded and then released upon throwing. The view andcharacteristics apply to both arms of the thrower. The dimensions of thearms and channels are constant throughout the length of the arms.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The thrower as illustrated in the figures consists of a straightcircular handle 1 which is twelve inches in length and one and one-halfinches in diameter. The end of the handle 2 flares out a half-inch toprovide better grip and prevent slipping. The handle divides andseparates into two straight arms 4. The point of separation 3 is in theshape of an arc or crescent conducive to the shape of the clay pigeonand is where the clay pigeon 8 is seated and cradled preparatory tolaunching the clay pigeon. Each arm 4 is sixteen inches in length.

The distance between the arms at the open point of the thrower 5 is fourand three-eighths inches, wide enough to allow the clay pigeon to freelyrelease during the swing of the thrower. The distance between the armstapers slightly towards the handle such that at the point of the cradle6 the distance between the arms is four and one-quarter inches. Thetapered distance between the arms allows the clay pigeon to stay inplace in the cradle before the swing/throw is started.

The two sixteen inch arms 4 are square in shape, one inch by one inch.There is a channel 7 located in the interior side of each arm. Therecessed channel 7 is one-half inch wide and is located in the center ofthe interior side of the arms. The opening of the channel is slightlylarger than the edge of the clay pigeon such that the clay pigeon caneasily slide and roll along the channel. The depth of the channel isone-eighth of an inch. The width and depth of the channel are uniformthroughout the length of the arms. Again, the distance between thechannels is wide enough to load and accept the clay pigeon and allowsthe clay pigeon to roll and slide along the length of the arms, butnarrow enough to keep the clay pigeon tracking within the channels andnot falling out.

In one of the recessed channels 7 of the arm 4, a gripping strip isplaced at the bottom of the channel where the edge of the clay pigeonwill track. The gripping strip is placed only in one channel. For theright-handed thrower, the strip is to be located in the right arm of thedevice. As the thrower begins his swing, the inertia of the clay pigeonwill force it against the right arm and the gripping strip within thechannel. The gripping strip, along with the centrifugal force, willforce the clay pigeon to start rolling down the length of the right armrather than sliding. Conversely, the channel in the left arm is keptclear and smooth so as not to impede the rolling of the clay pigeon. Therevolutions of the clay pigeon increase until it is released from thethrower. The rotation of the clay pigeon enhances aerodynamics and theflight of the clay pigeon. The orientation of the thrower is simplyreversed for the left-handed thrower. Since the device is symmetrical,the left-handed thrower need only insure that the device is orientedwith the gripping strip in the channel of the left arm of the device.

The invention is not limited to the precise description and theforegoing dimensions are illustrative and not definitive. Changes may bemade to the foregoing description and embodiment without affecting thescope of the invention. For example, the length of the handle and armsmay be lengthened or shortened and/or adjusted in size. Various grippingmaterials may be used to facilitate the rotation of the clay pigeonwithin the arms and channels. The preferred construction material is apolymer such as polypropylene for strength, durability and weight.However, the invention is equally functional with a wood or metalmedium. Additionally, while a single piece of material is desired,multiple pieces of material may be joined and fastened to create asingle unit.

I claim
 1. A hand held clay pigeon thrower preferably consisting ofsingle piece of stiff, durable material including: a. a handle ofsufficient length to be held by one or two hands with features toenhance the grip; and b. a section where the handle separates into twoparallel arms extending from the handle; i. with a recessed channelrunning the length of each arm along the inside of the arm whereby thedistance between the channels is slightly larger than the diameter of aclay pigeon; and ii. where the width of the channel is slightly widerthan the outside edge of a clay pigeon such that clay pigeons may beloaded into the channels and slid towards the handle where they arecradled prior to launching; and iii. where upon swinging the inventionthe clay pigeon will role and slide along the length of the arms,accelerating quickly, and then be propelled into the air; and iv. wherethe length of the handle and arms are of sufficient length to generatethe centrifugal force necessary to launch the clay pigeon into the air;and v. where the lengths of the arms are of sufficient length to acceptand launch two clay pigeons at a time if so desired; and vi. where therecessed channels along the inside of the arms are sized to fit andtrack the clay pigeon, allowing ease in sliding and rolling, preventingpremature breakage in loading, and preventing the clay pigeon fromdropping out of the invention; and vii. where the recessed channel onone of the arms contains a gripping substance or material to facilitatethe rolling and rotation of the clay pigeon as the clay pigeon islaunched; and c. where the handle, arms, and channels are symmetricaland can be used by both right-handed and left-handed individuals.